BY DAVID MCKEE - ANDERSEN PRESS
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By David McKee
Elmer the colourful patchwork elephant has been a favourite since his creation in 1989.
A modern classic, the series is known to millions, and has sold over 8 million copies
around the world, in over 50 languages.The subtle message of celebrating difference is
combined with the vibrant colour and cheeky humour of the main character.
2019 is Elmer’s 30th birthday! We will be celebrating with exciting new publishing,
partnerships and merchandise.
Elmer Picture Books Books
Each year at least one new Elmer title is created.
Originally sized 230 x 200 mm and now enlarged to 275 x 240 mm.
Elmer (1989)
Elmer gets tired of being different and disguises himself as a
normal grey elephant. But his usual exuberance cannot be
contained for long!
Elmer Again (1991)
Elmer the elephant is bright-coloured patchwork all over, and
everyone loves his patches. But right now, Elmer is bored. Only an-
other good joke will save the day, and Elmer has one up his trunk
that’s sure to please his many fans once more.
Elmer on Stilts (1993)
When elephant hunters come to the jungle, all the elephants are
worried. Elmer comes up with an ingenious plan that is bound to
outwit even the cleverest hunter, and teach them a lesson they will
never forget.
Elmer and Wilbur (1994) Elmer is eagerly awaiting a visit from his cousin Wilbur, the ventriloquist. When Wilbur doesn’t show up, the elephants decide to go and look for him. Wilbur seems to lead the elephants a merry dance pretending to be in places he isn’t, when he really is stuck up a tree! Elmer in the Snow (1995) As winter comes, Elmer’s friends start complaining about the cold. Elmer takes them up a mountain, and the higher they get, the colder it gets. A good snowball fight at the top warms them all up, but they are glad to return home where it is not really that cold after all! Elmer and the Wind (1997) Aided and abetted by his ventriloquist cousin Wilbur, Elmer pretends to be blown away on the windiest day. When the laughter dies down Elmer reassures his friends that a heavy elephant is safe in the worst of gales. But when he tries to prove it, much to his surprise, he really does get blown away! Elmer and the Lost Teddy (1999) One night, Elmer hears the sound of crying. It is Baby Elephant who can’t sleep because he has lost his teddy. Elmer lends Baby Elephant his own teddy and searches for the lost one. He discovers that all baby animals have teddies, but the most important thing is to have you very own teddy. Elmer and the Stranger (2000) Is there a difference between a bounce and a jump? Kangaroo thinks there is until Elmer helps him discover that the one will do just as well as the other. Children will love this colourful adventure which introduces a delightful new friend. Elmer and Grandpa Eldo (2001) Elmer is on his way to visit his Grandpa Eldo. He has great fun re- minding Eldo of all the things they used to do together, but is Eldo quite as forgetful as Elmer thinks? He may be old but he is an ele- phant, after all, and elephants never forget. Do they?
Elmer and Butterfly (2002) Elmer frees a butterfly that is trapped behind a fallen branch, and the grateful butterfly promises to help him if he ever needs it. Our intrepid elephant laughs ‘A butterfly saving an elephant – that’s a good one!’ but when the remote cliff path that he is treading starts to crumble away, it doesn’t seem so ridiculous! Elmer and the Hippos (2003) The elephants are not very happy: the hippos have come to live in THEIR river, because their own has dried up. Elmer discovers the dry river problem could be solved: but only if the hippos and the elephants drop their prejudices and work in unison. Elmer and Snake (2004) The elephants decide to play a trick on Elmer. Snake suggests pretending to Elmer that he looks pale and ill, to see if they can make him believe that he really is unwell. However Snake double-crosses the elephants so that he and Elmer have the last laugh. Elmer and Rose (2005) Grandpa Eldo asks Elmer and Wilbur to help a young elephant find her way back to her herd - and they get a shock when they see she is pink! No wonder she is called Rose. But there is an even greater sur- prise in store when they reach her herd - because everyone single one of them is pink! Elmer and Aunt Zelda (2006) Elmer and Wilbur visit their Aunt Zelda. She may be getting old and deaf, but she is fun and has lots of interesting things to show the two young elephants. A warm and funny book extolling the virtues of cross-generational relationships. Elmer and the Rainbow (2007) Elmer and the other elephants are waiting for the storm to end so they can see the colourful rainbow. But something dreadful has hap- pened: the rainbow has come out too soon and has lost its colours! Elmer decides to give his own colours to the rainbow. But does this mean he will lose his colors for ever?
Elmer and the Big Bird (2008) One day, Elmer notices that there are no birds around. How strange! Soon he finds them hiding from the nasty bully bird in a nearby cave. The bully bird is mean and likes to frighten the little birds. Led by Elmer, the animals work together to frighten off the bully. Elmer’s Special Day (2009) It’s almost Elmer’s Day again for the elephants, and they have begun their preparations already. But in all the excitement they are making an awful lot of noise, and upsetting the other animals. So Elmer chan- ges the rules, and invites every single animal to join in the parade. And they have a surprise in store for Elmer... Elmer’s Christmas (2010) Originally published as Elmer and Papa Red It’s two days before the annual visit of Papa Red and the young ele- phants are very excited. They prepare the presents for Papa Red to collect and take to those who need them. But this year Elmer has a special treat in store for the young elephants, if they can keep quiet... Elmer and Super El (2011) One morning, Elmer hears an “Oh no!”. Looking round, he spots Super El who’s in need of Elmer’s help. He must get to Aunt Zelda without any of the other animals seeing him and, as usual, it’s up to Elmer to come up with a cunning plan! Elmer, Rose and Super El (2012) Rose and the pink elephants are celebrating Old’s one-hundredth birthday. But the celebrations take an unexpected turn when Old be- comes stranded on a dangerous cliff top. Rose rushes to get help. It sounds like a job for Super El! Elmer and the Whales (2013) Elmer and his cousin Wilbur decide to go to the coast to see the whales. But their journey becomes far more of an adventure than they expected, when they find themselves lost at sea. Can the whales help them back to shore?
Elmer and the Monster (2014) There is pandemonium in the jungle! A strange roaring sounds sends all the animals stampeding. But all is not as it seems. Only Elmer is brave enough to investigate, and what he discovers comes as quite a surprise! Elmer and the Flood (2015) Rain or no rain, Elmer is going for a walk. After being cooped up in a cave with his herd, he longs for a bit of peace and quiet. But a real adventure awaits: the jungle has been flooded and Young elephant needs Elmer’s help! Elmer and the Race (2016) The young elephants want to have a race to prove who is the fastest. With each racer decorated in a different colour, the race sets off and they discover things about themselves: Blue is first, Pink and Violet are funny and Yellow is a cheat. Luckily Yelloy learns that he is also very good at saying sorry, so each young elephant gets a medal from Elmer. Elmer and the Tune (2017) When Rose meets Elmer she’s humming a tune, a tune she just can’t get out of her head. When she leaves, Elmer realises he can’t get the tune out of head either – and as he crosses the jungle he can see the infectious tune spreading to every animal Rose has met! Can Elmer help everyone get rid of it? Elmer’s Walk (2018) Elmer is enjoying his walk – smelling the flowers, listening to the waterfall – but each time he points out how lovely something is, his animal friends say they don’t have time to see it.They’re far too busy. Luckily Wilbur arrives at last and shares Elmer’s wise enjoyment.
Elmer’s Tabbed Board Books, 2018
180 x 180 mm, 10 pages
Each of these chunky tabbed board books takes little readers on an Elmer adventure,
whether it’s discovering the weather, spotting Elmer’s favourite colours or doing all
the things in Elmer’s day.
Elmer’s Colours
This charming book of colours for very young children features all
the colours of the much-loved patchwork elephant Elmer. Every
spread features one or two bold and bright colours. Elmer loves
them all - which is your favourite?
Elmer’s Day
Elmer has a busy day ahead of him. He likes to have fun squirting
himself with water and playing with his friends. When he is hungry
he stops for lunch - some fresh juicy grass. At night Elmer likes to
count stars, but he never gets very far before falling fast asleep!
Elmer’s Friends
Elmer has some very special friends. Zebra is the stripiest, giraffe is
the tallest, snake is the longest, leopard is the spottiest. Everyone is
different and Elmer loves them all.
Elmer’s Weather
Whatever the weather, Elmer still has fun. He splashes in the
puddles when it rains and has snowball fights with his friends when
it snows. He loves the clouds that look like things made of cotton
wool, and when the sun is out he wears some crazy dark glasses!
Shaped Board Book
My First Elmer (2018)
Elmer’s much-loved first story is now available in this tactile
shaped board book edition, abridged for the very youngest of
readers. Discover the original Elmer story in a chunky board book
shaped like Elmer himself!
Elmer Novelty and Activity Books
Elmer’s Little Library (2016)
Slipcase with four 90 x 90 mm board books, 10 pages
This chunky little library contains four board books – Colours, Numbers,
Shapes and Actions. Little hands will love turning each sturdy page and
meeting favourite friends from the world of Elmer.
Turn over the four board books, and their back covers create a fun jigsaw!
Elmer’s Touch and Feel World (2016)
260 x 260 mm, 10 pages
Explore the colourful touch-and-feel world of Elmer and his colourful
friends in this bright, fun first concepts playbook.
Elmer: Guess Who? (2017) – 180 x 180 mm, 10 pages, cover die-
cut and mirror – originally published as Elmer’s New Friend
Help the animals guess who Elmer’s new friend is in this sturdy
board book with a mirror surprise at the end. Peek through cut outs
on each page to catch a glimpse of Elmer’s new friend - it’s you!
Elmer: Hide and Seek! (2017) – 180 x 180 mm, 10 pages, cover
die-cut and sturdy flaps – originally published as Elmer Plays Hide and Seek
Elmer and Bird are playing hide and seek. Help Elmer find Bird in
their game of hide and seek by looking all over the jungle and under
the flaps. Ready or not, here I come!
Elmer’s Doodle Book (2019)
This is a content-rich drawing and colouring book with a difference: like Elmer,
it’s multi- coloured! Line work in each section changes from red to green to blue
to purple.
www.andersenpress.co.uk
Andersen Press • 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road • London SW1V 2SA
Sarah Pakenham: spakenham@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Sarah Vanden-Abeele: svandenabeele@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Liz White: lwhite@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
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